Girls Soccer, Boys Tennis, Boys Ultimate
By: Sarah Guralnick
Overlake’s 2022 fall sports have performed exceptionally well. The teams have made their mark in Overlake’s conference as well as in the state. Despite a rocky section in the season, with smoke canceling outdoor practices or pushing them inside, the teams this year have had great success and surpassed everyone’s expectations. The smoke was an unforeseen challenge that no one was prepared for, but each team continued to train and persevere through any and all obstacles rolling their way.
Varsity Girls Soccer
The Overlake Girls Soccer Team worked diligently this year to earn their 9-2-3 conference record. Their overall record is 12-4-4. The seniors and team captains, Debbie Mahler, Siena Verprauskus, Caroline Min, Celina Kwon, and Flora Roberts, and every other individual, leave a large legacy to live up to.
The soccer team is very united, likely a major factor in their success. Debbie prides herself in the community they built this year as they were able to “foster a compassionate and inclusive community.” Debbie notes how this aspect “makes our team much more powerful than the other teams in our league,” demonstrating the value of community and how the girls soccer team uses it to their advantage.
The Owls played a critical game against King’s School on November 3rd, needing one more win to make it to state. With an incredible team effort finished off by sophomore Audrey Gruben, her masterful goalie statistics and winning PK led the team to state. This is a pinpoint moment for Audrey and the team. Debbie marks this as one of her favorite moments this year, exemplifying the strong community with connectedness and appreciation for one another. The team encircled Audrey after ending the tough game with her PK; Debbie identifies this moment, saying it “truly captures our team as a whole and the community we have.”
Throughout the season, not every game came easy, but the team’s grit, one of their defining factors, Debbie says, helps them persevere. Despite “unanticipated challenges” in their game against Bear Creek, they tied the game due to the teams’ “grit and determination,” both valuable factors in their success this year. Because of everyone’s “love” for each other, the powerful sense of community, and relentless determination, the Overlake Girls Soccer Team dominated the season, gaining entry to the state tournament. The first game versus the Elma Eagles was a success; junior Libby Li scored the tying goal, and from there, goalie Audrey stopped all PKs in the shootout, the Owls coming through with a win. Sadly, the Owls lost the second state game against Lynden Christian, but that doesn’t take away from the incredible season. Although the team is losing valuable seniors this year, the Owls will continue to be a superpower on the field. Debbie notes the importance of community, saying she believes a “strong and connected team can be very successful against any opponent.” This powerful statement applies to soccer and other sports; a united community makes for a fun and successful season. As the girls soccer team continues in the state tournament, Overlake stands behind them, creating one large community.
Varsity Boys Tennis
The Overlake boys tennis team leaves this season with an incredible record and high standards to fulfill. The boys didn’t let anything phase them and their perfect record. The Owls are #1 in the league with their 11-0 conference record. Not only did the boys win every conference match, but when our 1A team played Kamiak, a 4A school, they came away with the win. Avery Vail, a Junior on the tennis team, notes how the team consists of “great players and great people,” creating the highly prized sense of community within a team. Sports are about more than just how you perform. They are also about fostering a lasting connection, and it seems like this is what the boys’ tennis team has created.
The tennis program has been strong in the past, but Avery describes this year as “on another level.” In combination with the more seasoned players, the freshman were outstanding (and a huge surprise). The freshman class on varsity, Rishi Sanyal, Henry Zhu, Dost Akgun, Sebastian Ter Meulen, Ben Ta, and Prithvi Aravind, aided to the strong team, filling each court with great players. In Avery’s words, “it just can’t be understated how technically skilled and strong these freshmen are, and what that means for the longevity of Overlake’s tennis program.” Avery says how as soon as Rishi arrived at tryouts, everyone knew he was going to dominate. Additionally, Rishi played #1 singles, which is rare for a freshman, yet he stood up to the challenge.
Despite the incredible outcome, the team faced several challenges, whether it was “tough opponents, injuries, or even [them]selves,” notes Avery. Combatting these challenges and still coming out on top demonstrates the power of determination. The district tournament to admit them into state didn’t go as they had hoped. Because of “critical initial losses,” the team couldn’t advance into the state tournament. But there were still great individual matches – one to note is Rishi’s match. Rishi played a long, 3-set match against an Eastside Preparatory School athlete, combatting cramping throughout. Sadly, Rishi lost, and Avery calls it an “absolute heartbreaker.”
Each player’s skills combined as one team has driven the team to success. Though none of the athletes made it to the state tournament (there is still a small chance), the team has proven strength and determination. Avery is quite optimistic for next year, and judging by this years strength, we should be too!
Varsity Boys Ultimate
Boys Ultimate started the season out strong, beating the Bush School 11-5. One of the team captains, John Boland, notes that this win gave him the “best feeling ever.” He recalls this first win as his favorite moment this year. Their overall record of 2-8 fails to reflect the determination of this team. John uses the word “determined” to describe the ultimate team. The boys ultimate team has a tough schedule, playing against some of the “best teams in the nation,” notes John. Despite this, the players, forming strong connections, are able to rely on each other to stay motivated and work as a team. The team fostered a strong sense of community this year, something John is proud of; he notes how each teammate played a vital role and they “worked as a team,” rather than individual players dominating on the field. The season has ended without admittance into the playoffs, but the determination persists. John and the ultimate team are determined to win more games next year, and, emphasizing community, hope to receive more support from Overlake’s student body. Stay tuned for next year’s boys ultimate!
Each of these sports requires huge team efforts, lots of communication, and determination, something each team showed this year. Soccer, tennis, and ultimate, as well as cross country, volleyball, and golf, all worked hard and persisted through any obstacles obstructing their path. Regardless of the final record or post-season performance, every team put their best foot forward. Overlake’s value of community really shines through in sports, creating tight-knit teams. And for Overlake to finish off the fall sports season with incredible records and memories is a major success. Now, as we move into the winter, it is time to focus on basketball season!
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